Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-09-13
ENGLAND'S STRONGHOLD.
Life In the Great Fortress Of
Gibraltar.



The rock Of Gibraltar is pierced
toward its southern part, at LOO feet
above the level Of the sea, with numer-
GUS excavations that form complete
network of natural galleries SO pro-
found and intricate that, though they
have often been explored, the extrem-
ity Of them has never been discovered
From place to place these galleries
broaden out into vast halls, the vaults
Of which, supported by natural pillars.
are formed Of stalactites that throw
out thousand rays at the least light.
The best known and the most accessi-
ble-the Grotto of st. Michael
reached by an almost imperceptible
entrance, and which, few feet from
its opening. forms an immense hall 220
feet long and SO feet high, is the place
often chosen by the authorities Of Glib
raltar when they wish to honor dis
tinguished guest. to offer him lun-
cheon. dinner, or fete.
To this network Of natural galleries,
which at certain places serve for am
munition magazines, the English at the
north flank of the rock, which forms a
perpendicular wall / 800 feet high,
have joined the two celebrated artifi-
cial galleries followed out by convicts
during the siege Of 1880, which, one
above the other, shelter the most
famous batteries in the world. From u
military view, however. these batteries
| have lost much Of their value since the
recent progress in modern artillery.
Guns Of the largest caliber can not be
used because of the severe shock given
by the defamation to this part Of the
rock. A few years ago, while one OF
tho batteries was firing salute during
strong wind-storm, burning piece
Of tow was blown into the interior.
which ignited caisson of ammunition,
the explosion of which blew the gun and
the artillerymen out through tho en-
brasure. Since that time these batteries
are used with great precaution, They
remain tho principal attraction at
Gibraltar, the great object Of interest
for tourists. The upper gallery. whore
all the batteries are covered is easily
visited, but with permit from the
military authority and under the con-
duct of an artilleryman. The interior
| gallery, where most Of the batteries
are uncovered is less accessible to the
public. To enter it a special permit is
necessary from the Governor, which is
obtained only in very exceptional
cases.
| The narrow tongue Of land that unitcs
Gibraltar 10 Spain is about /, 10C
yards wide by 1900 yards long. 1t Is
plain Of sand. destitute of vegeta-
ton, save Il few aloe trees. 1t is divid.
cd in its length into two nearly equal
parts The one that adjoins the rock
belongs 10 the English, who call it the
North front" This is where the
reviews take place, the exercises Of
the garrison, the horse races; and here,
too. is the cemetery and the abattoil
where are slaughtered the meagei
Morocco cattle eaten by the inmates Of
the fortress. A line of English senti.
uels, posted $50 feet apart and easily
recognized at distance by the whit,
umbrellas fixed in the sand under
which they shelter themselves from the
an. indicates the limits of English soil
From that point to the Spanish frontier
u Is neutral ground, on which no one
not even a civilian. is permitted to sci
foot. At its other extremity line o
intrenehmonts fallen into ruin marks
The Spanish line. 1t is guarded by q
Gordon of sentinels, and day and night
the English and Spanish soldiers, sepa.
rated by distance of 1900 feet pace
back and forth, eyeing each other as
sharply as if their countries were al
| war.
Daring the day the North front" is
the hveliest place in Gibraltar, for in
the city, hung like ladder against the
western side Of the rock, there are nc
level surfaces. All the exercises dea,
to the English, like polo. tennis, and
cricket, can find the necessary space
only in this exterior field. From mora
ing till night this plain, then, is
the thcater of all English activity.
The spectacle. on the Queens birth.
lay especially, is always imposing. In
lie afternoon Of this day the 1000 men
composing the garrison leave the cit,
to be reviewed ON the North 'front.' A
two o'clock the Governor departs at
tended by his staff. A platoon pre-
cedes him comprising twenty officers il
brilliant red uniform on horseback.
few feet in their rear handsome squat
of Amazons follow composed of thei
wives and daughters, authorized b,
custom to pass in review witt
their fathers and husbands. Whel
the Governor places himself il
front of the troops the band
strike up God Save the Queen, '
the soldiers present arms, the officer,
make the military salute. and the spec
tators, uncovered. remain silent an,
motionless. A battery placed 1,50c
feet above their heads at the sum
NIT of the north side of the roc
fires salvo.to which all of the interio
batteries respond. After variou
revolutions the troops return to the cit,